Mary E. Hargraves

Mary Elizabeth (McDonald) Hargraves, age 84, of Fall River, passed away at home on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, surrounded by her loving family. She was the devoted wife of the late Robert M. Hargraves with whom she shared 58 years of marriage until his passing in 2022.

Born in Fall River, the daughter of the late Bernard J. McDonald Esq. and the late Loretta (Lupien) McDonald, Mary Lib was a 1959 graduate of BMC Durfee High School.

Mary Lib was employed as a telephone operator in Fall River, and after retiring, she spent much of her time with her sisters cooking and laughing in the kitchen of Nancy JoAnne Catering. Mary Lib enjoyed bowling, playing mahjong, and pitch with friends and family. She had a passion for gardening and spent a great deal of time tending to her beautiful flowers.

Mary Lib’s greatest love was her family. She looked forward to spending every summer with relatives and friends at Baker’s Beach. She could often be found at a soccer game, football game, baseball game, or a rowing event cheering on any one of her beloved grandchildren.

She is survived by her four children, Robert M. Hargraves Jr. and his wife Holly of Mattapoisett, Nancy Jane Hargraves of Fall River, Jennifer Elias and her husband Karl of Fairfield, CT., and Michael M. Hargraves and his wife Lisa of Fall River; nine grandchildren George Elias, Colin, Julia, and Madeline Hargraves, Brady Hargraves and Devon Sutton, Jack and Beatrice Ashley, and Valentina Fontanez; a brother, William McDonald of Fall River and many, many nieces and nephews.

Mary Lib was the youngest of nine siblings, the sister of the late Loretta McMurray, Barbara Shea, Patricia Barrar, Bernard McDonald, Nancy Jane Farrissey, Susan Coombes and J. Barry McDonald.

Her Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, October 2, 2026, at 10am in Holy Name Church, 709 Hanover St., Fall River. The family will greet relatives and friends prior to mass in the church vestibule from 9-10am prior to mass. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in her honor may be made to the Durfee Hilltopper Athletic Foundation, 687 Harvard St., Fall River, MA 02720 or the Boys and Girls Club of Fall River, 803 Bedford St., Fall River, MA 02723. To place an online tribute, please visit: www.waring-sullivan.com